chased leader until before 2 out, went 2nd again last, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, clear flat, easily
led, clear 3rd until 3 out, edged left 2 out, headed before last, 3rd and no extra flat
mid-division, ridden and struggling 4th, soon behind
held up in last pair, ridden and struggling from 4th
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place after 4th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out
NonRunner
After winning at Doncaster, FLASH THE STEEL (NAP) probably came up against a well-treated rival in a handicap at Cheltenham and is the one to beat returning to novice company. Deyrann de Carjac earns marks for consistency and is a course and distance winner but recent runs have been over longer trips. Lock's Corner made mistakes at Huntingdon but still showed promise and better is expected here but Espoir De Guye was well beaten at Hereford and has to carry a penalty for winning in minor company in France.
Espoir De Guye (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 13, dist behind Star Of Lanka (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Flash The Steel (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before not fluent last, went 2nd flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Benny's Bridge (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Bardd (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Kloud Gate (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Dec.
Battlebrave (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) In rear, ridden and struggling 5th, pulled up after, at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Bigchextocash (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Led until 3rd, edged left and lost place, behind 6th, 6th of 8, dist behind At Its Own Expense (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Feb.
Blackstairs Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, well beaten before 3 out, hit last, 6th of 15, 26 3/4l behind Smarty Wild (11-3) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Cobra Commander (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, some headway before 3 out, soon pushed along and weakened, 5th of 10, dist behind Monsieur D'Arque (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Laxey (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, modest 8th 3 out, stayed on, went 5th last, never near leaders, 5th of 15, 18 3/4l behind Smarty Wild (11-3) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Lock's Corner (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) In touch, not fluent 4 out, blundered next, chased winner approaching last, kept on well, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Heatstroke (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Feb.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 11-10 (11-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner soon after 3 out, clear with winner and not fluent next, soon ridden, no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Garrettstown (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
